Buscopan IBS Relief Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Buscopan IBS Relief Tablet contains hyoscine butylbromide, an antispasmodic medicine. It is used to relieve abdominal cramps and pain linked to the digestive tract, including discomfort caused by Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). It works by relaxing the cramping muscles of the stomach and bowel. It is available as coated tablets and should not be used continuously for more than 2 weeks.

What is Buscopan IBS Relief Tablet

Buscopan 10mg Coated Tablets contain hyoscine butylbromide. They belong to a group of medicines called antispasmodics, used to relieve abdominal cramps and pain associated with the digestive tract, including Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

Buscopan IBS Relief Tablet uses

• Relieves abdominal cramps that cause pain and discomfort in the digestive tract
• Used in Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) to help relieve pain from cramping spasms
• Provides quick relief for abdominal, intestinal, bladder, and ureter cramps
• Treats IBS symptoms such as abdominal pain and cramps, bloating, and constipation or diarrhea

Benefits of Buscopan IBS Relief Tablet

• Relaxes the cramping muscles of the stomach and bowel to relieve pain
• Works directly in the abdomen, targeting the cause of the pain
• Has a fast onset of action, starting to work within about 15 minutes
• May improve depressed mood
• May reduce anxiety associated with depression

How Buscopan IBS Relief Tablet works

Buscopan works by relaxing the cramping muscles of the stomach and bowel, reducing the wave-like muscle contractions that cause pain, though it does not stop these contractions completely.

Buscopan IBS Relief Tablet dosage

Swallow the tablet whole with water. Do not crush or chew the tablet. Do not take continuously for more than 2 weeks. Stop taking and talk to your pharmacist or doctor if you do not feel better after 2 weeks, if you get new symptoms, or if your symptoms get worse. This medicine is not recommended for children under 12 years of age.

Available forms and strengths

Coated tablets, 10mg.

Side effects of Buscopan IBS Relief Tablet

Common

• Dry mouth
• Constipation
• Abnormal sweating or reduced sweating
• Blurred vision

Serious

• Skin reactions that cause itching (such as urticaria and pruritis)
• Increased heart rate (tachycardia)
• Problems emptying the bladder
• Anaphylactic reaction and shock - a severe type of allergic reaction with itchy rash, swelling, and difficulty breathing
• Difficult or laboured breathing (dyspnoea)
• Allergic reactions (hypersensitivity) such as skin rash and patchy red skin (erythema)
• A painful red eye with loss of vision (possible glaucoma)

Warnings and precautions

• Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to hyoscine butylbromide or any other ingredient, cannot digest some sugars, have glaucoma, have myasthenia gravis, have a suspected or confirmed bowel blockage, have paralytic or obstructive ileus, have a very enlarged bowel (megacolon), or are pregnant or breast-feeding.
• This medicine is not recommended for children under 12 years of age.
• Do not take this medicine continuously for more than 2 weeks.
• Tell your pharmacist or doctor if you are taking other medicines, because Buscopan can affect how some other medicines work and some medicines can affect how Buscopan works, including antihistamines, tetracyclic or tricyclic medicines, antipsychotics, dopamine antagonists like metoclopramide, beta-2 adrenergic medicines like salbutamol, quinidine or disopyramide, amantadine, and anticholinergic medicines like tiotropium, ipratropium or atropine-like medicines.
• Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or are planning to have a baby. Do not take this medicine if you are breast-feeding.
• Older adults and people with kidney impairment may require more cautious dosing because amoxapine is substantially eliminated through the kidneys. Significant liver impairment requires cautious prescribing.
• Avoid alcohol because it can increase sedation and impairment.
• Some people may have temporary blurring of vision while taking this medicine. If this happens, wait until your vision returns to normal before driving or using any tools or machines.

Storage

• Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
• Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the foil and carton label. The expiry date (EXP) refers to the last day of that month.
• Store below 30°C.
• Store in the original package in order to protect from light.
• Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use.

When to see a doctor

• Talk to your pharmacist or doctor straight away if you have unexplained abdominal pain which persists or worsens, or occurs with fever, feeling sick or vomiting, changes in bowel movements, blood in stools, abdominal tenderness, or feeling faint due to low blood pressure.
• Stop taking this medicine and tell your doctor straight away if you notice serious side effects such as itchy skin reactions, fast heartbeat, problems emptying the bladder, a severe allergic reaction with rash and swelling and difficulty breathing, laboured breathing, other allergic reactions, or a painful red eye with loss of vision.
• If you take more than you should, talk to a doctor or go to a hospital straight away. Take the medicine pack with you.
• You must stop taking and talk to your pharmacist or doctor if you do not feel better after two weeks of treatment, or if you feel worse.

Alternatives

• Amitriptyline
• Nortriptyline
• Imipramine
• Desipramine